The billionaire dog walkers club

How some of the world’s richest men are helping Roman Abramovich walk his corgi around the Isle of Arran

Take a photo tour of how the rich enjoy their riches. Happy viewing.

The Chelsea Football Club owner was spotted arriving on the Scottish Isle on Monday morning with his pet dog. Mr Abramovich was brought ashore in a modest 20ft launch from his 557ft yacht after spending the night at sea. The 48-year-old has been enjoying a break in the Scottish Isles this week with his family and friends. Scruffy group include senior figures from his firms, son of Russian governor, and of Ukraine’s richest men

Strolling around the Isle of Arran in sportswear and sensible walking shoes, they seemed a rather scruffy bunch.

But the five men accompanying Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich as he walked his pet corgi on the remote Scottish island, are in fact some of the wealthiest in the world.

The billionaire Chelsea owner was spotted walking his dog yesterday with a middle aged entourage in tow, dressed in comfortable slacks, jogging bottoms and fleeces.

Despite appearances, the casually dressed group include senior figures from Abramovich’s firms, the son of a Russian governor, and one of Ukraine’s richest men.

The billionaire Chelsea owner was spotted walking his dog yesterday with a middle aged entourage in tow, dressed in comfortable slacks, jogging bottoms and fleeces. Despite appearances, the casually dressed group include senior figures from Abramovich’s firms, the son of a Russian governor, one of Ukraine’s richest men, and his £950 corgi

The Mirror reports his group included billionaire David Davidovich, 52, who worked with the Chelsea owner at Runicom in the mid-1990s. According to Forbes, he is worth more than £1 billion and is now project manager at Millhouse, Abramovich’s asset management company.

Dressed in jeans, and hanging to the back of the crowd, was Eugene Shvidler, Abramovich’s childhood best friend and business partner and worth a £1.6billion.

The 52-year-old made his fortune in oil during the 1990s, and later joined Abramovich to found an oil-trading organisation.

Wearing a casual pair of green combat trousers was Alexey Polezhaev, son of Leonid Polezhaev, former governor of the Omsk region of Russia, closely joined by Alexander Yaroslavsky, in a tracksuit – one of Ukraine’s richest men – and the former owner of football team Metallist Kharkiv.

The billionaire group were joined by Abramovich’s pet corgi – worth £950.

Abramovich’s £1.5billion yacht has been the talk of the Scottish Isles this week, but yesterday he shunned his 557ft vessel for a much more modest mode of transport.

The Russian and his pet Corgi piled in to a 20ft launch to be brought ashore with his entourage, arriving in the village of Lochranza this morning for a brisk walk.

The 48-year-old looked in good spirits as they docked and he stepped on to the island, smiling as he walked along country roads with his dog’s lead in his hand.

He was dressed casually in some brown trousers and a black fleece that bore his yacht’s name. Accompanied by his entourage, he strolled through quiet residential streets to the surprise of villagers.

‘He’s having a good time and seems to be enjoying himself. He’s been very nice and calm – and very pleasant to everyone who speaks to him,’ said one local man.

‘The views are absolutely phenomenal and everyone here is so laid back and friendly so you can see why he enjoys coming here. Every other tourist I’ve seen has been pleasantly surprised to spot him walking around. His corgi is very cute.’

Patiently waiting: The group surrounded the Corgi as it went for a walk this morning before Mr Abramovich visited a distillery with his family. Eugene Shvidler, Abramovich’s childhood best friend and business partner, worth a £1.6bn, can be seen scratching his head

Pampered: Mr Abramovich’s dog has accompanied him throughout his travels and was showered with affection as he went for a walk this morning

Low key: Roman Abramovich was seen arriving on the Isle of Arran this morning, brought ashore in a 20ft launch with a group of friends

On dry land: The men piled out of the launch on to a pier in Lochranza on Arran for an early morning walk after spending the night on the water

The Russian billionaire and his family are expected to next visit the Isle of Islay.

Mr Abramovich was seen chatting happily with residents who had gathered on the promenade before setting off on his two-hour cycle around the island.

The group were seen taking food with them on their trip, so it is thought he might have stopped for a picnic.

He looked ‘exhausted’ on his return to the pier, one witness told MailOnline. Another told the Telegraph that he gave a thumbs up to some children who started singing ‘Chelsea’ before heading back to his yacht, the Eclipse.

It was made for the tycoon in 2010 and was the largest private yacht ever made at the time.

The vessel also boasts two swimming pools, two helicopter pads, a dedicated disco hall, around 30 cabins, a mini-submarine, and even a missile defence system.

It has armour-plating around Mr Abramovich’s master suite, bullet-proof windows and a laser system designed to dazzle long-lens photographers.

Later the billionaire visited the Isle of Arran Distillers, leaving with several bottles of whisky after visiting with his wife Dasha and one of his sons.

Rumours Mr Abramovich is visiting Scotland with a view to buying another football club were dispelled, with sources close to the businessman dismissing such speculation.

Campbell Laing, a guide at the distillery visitors’ centre, told The Daily Telegraph: ‘He just phoned and asked if we could fit him in for a tour around.

‘I personally took him around and he was very humble and unassuming generally. He was very pleasant. He was with his wife and his son.

‘We just treat everyone the same here.’

Mr Abramovich is understood to be holidaying in Scotland this week before making his way to the more climatic South of France.

His arrival in Arran comes after he was spotted cycling in Rothesay in Bute yesterday in tight-fitting red and black lycra. Stopping to chat to a resident yesterday, he said he was ‘enjoying the holiday’ despite the odd downpour.

Unlikely visitor: A resident smiles at the group as they cross paths on a deserted road on Arran this morning where Mr Abramovich is holidaying

ugh quiet residential streets with his beloved pet Corgi on Monday
Entourage: Mr Abramovich has been accompanied throughout his travels with the small dog which locals described as being ‘very cute’

Impressive: The yacht was made for Mr Abramovich in 2010 and at the time was the largest private vessel ever made at 557ft

Active: The 48-year-old was spotted taking in the sights of the small seaside town of Rothesay, Bute, on his bike on Sunday morning

Luxury: The 48-year-old has been travelling on board his 557ft, £1.5billion super yacht, Eclipse, as it sails the Firth of Clyde. Above, the Eclipse on the River Clyde from Greenock